The Greatest Justice League Villains Of All Time

DC’s most iconic team up, The Justice League has been one of the best thing about the DC universe. While Marvel Boasts their Avengers and X-Men teams, there’s no denying that Justice League has an upper hand when it comes to power levels. The original roster had seven members : Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Martian Manhunter, Aquaman and Green Lantern.

With such overpowered characters, the league actually needs villains who can push the team to the brink of defeat. While DC has managed to do a pretty amazing job at that, few villains are sometimes a bit much for the league. Here are 10 of the greatest Justice League Villains

Watch the video for a shorter version of the list.

10. Amazo

Amazo was the world’s first official android, created by the immortal professor Ivo. Most of the time, robots turn out to be great enemies, simply because longer have to hold themselves back. But even with Justice League’s full power, it was difficult to stop Amazo.

Amazo originally had the powers of the original seven league members. But in the later iterations, he is shown to mimic the powers of everyone he meets which made him more formidable and dangerous. Imagine the powers of Superman, Flash and Martian Manhunter in one body.

9. Maxwell Lord

Hailed as one of the greatest masterminds of Earth, Maxwell Lord is a wealthy businessman who possesses the power to control the minds of people. He has worked with the Justice League before but only for his personal gains. He even pitted Superman against Wonder Woman on one occasion.

Sadly, his powers aren’t that simple. While using his powers, Maxwell Lord starts to bleed from his nose. With more blood loss, he losses consciousness which results in people under his control to also lose consciousness.

8. Deathstroke

Perhaps the greatest assassin on Earth, Deathstroke is one of Batman’s most formidable enemy. Originally a soldier in the U.S. Army, he was part of a super-soldier project where he gained enhanced strength, agility and intelligence. But that’s not it. Deathstroke has regenerative abilities, limited precognitive vision and is one of the greatest swordsman on Earth.

During the events of identity crisis, Deathstroke was able to defeat the Justice League (Green Arrow, The Flash (Wally West), Green Lantern (Kyle Rayner), Black Canary, Zatanna, Hawkman, and the Atom (Ray Palmer) and almost got away with it. He also defeated the Teen Titans in Judas Contract.

7. Vandal Savage

You would be familiar with this name if you’re a fan of DC’s arrowverse. Vandal Savage is an immortal warrior who only goal is to conquer the entire planet. The story of how he became immortal is an interesting one. During the prehistoric era, Vandal Savage (Who was a caveman at that time) was exposed to a meteorite which made him immortal.

Throughout the history, Vandal Savage has been an influential figure in the history. He has survived everything. Vandal has fathered thousands of children but considers only Scandal Savage as his true heir.

6. Lex Luthor

Lex Luthor is the arch enemy of Superman. One of the most intelligent man on Earth, Lex Luthor is a brilliant scientist. Lex hates aliens, including Superman because they contradict with his human achievements.

In the recent years, Lex has joined the Justice League. He did so my figuring out Batman’s secret identity and blackmailing him to make his way up. Lex is perhaps the most iconic super villain of DC, second only to the clown prince of Gotham.

5. Brainiac

Another villain who started our as Supeman’s nemesis, Brainiac is an extra-terrestial cyborg with 12th level intellect. (Humans have 1st level intellect). Brainiac is responsible for shrinking Kandor, the capital city of Krypton.

Aside from his intellect, Brainiac has telepathy powers and super strength, which sometimes makes it difficult for Superman to defeat him alone. He has also been shown to be an ally to Lex Luthor.

4. Crime Syndicate

Opposites are bad and Crime Syndicate is a proof of that. Hailing from Earth-III, Crime Syndicate of America is team of super villains which consists of Justice League’s evil counterparts. The team comprises of Ultraman(Superman’s evil Counterpart), Owlman(Batman’s evil Counterpart), Superwoman(Wonder Woman’s evil counterpart), Power Ring(Green Lantern’s evil counterpart) and Johnny Quick(Flash’s counterpart).

In the Forever Evil comic arc, Crime Syndicate arrived on Earth-1 and took over. It wasn’t just the combined effort of the entire Justice League but also Earth-1 villains who brought down the evil doppelgängers.

3. Injustice League

Justice League brings together the best heroes of the Earth. It’s only fair the villains get a similar team. Injustice League was formed with solely one purpose : to oppose the Justice League (Hence the name). And they are pretty good at their job.

Injustice League has had different iterations over the years, but one thing has been constant. The team has always been lead by Lex Luthor and The Joker, the arch nemesis of Superman and Batman respectively.

2. Anti-Monitor

This one might be known to a few only. Anti-Monitor is an extremely powerful being who controls the antimatter universe. He is an evil counterpart of his brother Monitor who almost destroyed the entire positive matter multiverse.

Anti-Monitor was the main antagonist in DC’s Crisis On Infinite Earths comic arc. It took the combined power of every superhero in the entire positive matter multiverse to defeat him, which makes him one of the greatest Justice League villain. He was also seen in New 52’s Darkseid Wars.

1. Darkseid

One of the most powerful character in DC universe, Darkseid has fought the Justice League numerous times over the years. The ruler of Apokolips, he is a ruthless tyrant who demands full devotion from his subjects.

Darkseid’s greatest weapon are his omega beams which can disintegrate, teleport or resurrect depending on his wish. His sole purpose is to obtain the anti-life equation which would give him control over the free will in the entire universe. Read Darkseid Wars if you want to know about his true power level.